Sansanee Thoesomboon,

founder/design director of Sane of Molly

How did your brand start?
In Shoreditch, East London, where my inspiration grew. I cherished the freedom with which people there are exposed to culture and sub-culture.
How would you describe your design style?
People say it’s quirky; I guess that’s the stubborn, rock n’ roll side of me playing a role in my design. I’d say my design is "romantic rock," as it combines romance and a raw vintage style with chic touches.
What’s the inspiration for your latest collection?
The Spring/Summer 2013 collection is a futuristic look back at the 80s. It features some graphics that came to me in a vivid dream. The next morning I sketched and created the collection. I like the silhouettes of the 80s. It’s a challenge combining vintage and futuristic touches.
What’s the next big thing?
I think fashion is going back to simplicity. Technology is going to play an important role in it—one day you might just click a remote to change your clothes.
What’s the most difficult thing about working in the fashion business?
How you direct your brand identity with the utmost freedom without giving into market demands.
What’s your most embarrassing fashion moment?
When I was overdressed at a New Year's Eve countdown house party. My friends told me the dress code was "celebrity" so I went as Marilyn Monroe, but in fact there was no dress code and everyone was very casual. They got me!
What more does our fashion scene need?
I want more designs that stand out and in a variety of styles. Fashion is not only about following… wear fashion rather than let it wear you.
Order online at www.saneofmolly.com

Ekrada Phunatphattharasin,

co-owner of Nisa and Friends

How would you describe your design style?
Colorful imagination yet realistic. Our customers love bright and unique colors.
What’s the inspiration for your latest collection?
Flowers, nature and having a crush on someone.
What’s the next big thing?
Something combining lots of materials with futuristic shapes.
What’s the most difficult thing about working in the fashion industry?
Trends change so rapidly, whether due to celebrities or magazines.
Who’s your favorite designer?
Donatella Versace.
What’s the silliest fashion trend?
Huge headbands.
What do you want more of in Bangkok’s fashion scene?
Awesome minimal designs, both patterns and textiles.
Siam Square Soi 3, Rama 1 Rd., 081-705-0555. BTS Siam.

Rudi Jotikasthira,

owner of Rudimentary and Rudi Joti

How did your brand start?
After graduating from the London College of Fashion, I came to a crossroads in my life; call it a quarter-life crisis. The situation was not so great in Europe, with all the talk about recession, so I thought maybe I should start my own label. In the end I packed up my life and moved back to Bangkok.
How would you describe your style?
Rudimentary is all about youthfulness and fun; I want to create objects that are timeless but also feel contemporary, with just a twist of edginess.
What’s the inspiration for your latest collection?
The latest collection is all about Americana; think That 70s Show! Just imagine a bunch of friends going on a camping trip. They have a picnic, listen to music on their portable record player and relax on the beach. I selected a group of prints that tell a story: kilim-style prints with some Navajo-inspired tribal patterns.
What’s the next big thing?
I think Asia is going to be big, what with fast-growing economies like China. We are also seeing some oriental trends returning to runways for next season.
What’s the most difficult thing about the fashion industry?
The prospect of starting my own label and being my own boss was quite daunting. Creatively speaking, I know I can do it, but I have less experience with business, PR and marketing, and all the other aspects that come with being a business owner. I am learning as I go along.
Who’s your favorite designer?
I dread this question because for me it varies all the time! At the moment, I am loving what Humberto Leon and Carol Lim are doing at Kenzo. I am a huge fan of Opening Ceremony, anyway, so to see them revive an iconic brand like Kenzo is very inspiring. However, one of my all-time favorites is Alexander McQueen. I had the opportunity to intern there when I was still in university. It was fashion at its most creative.
Silliest fashion trend?
Ugg Boots and Crocs.
What’s your most embarrassing fashion moment?
I used to cruise down the 'sold as seen' rack at Selfridges in London, looking for bargains on faulty items which I could maybe fix up later myself. I bought a pair of trousers from Vivienne Westwood thinking I had bagged a pair of Westwood trousers for a fraction of the price. I wore it to a formal party the following week and as I sat down, the seam at the crotch just came apart—the more I tried to rescue it the worse it got, to the point where I could put my whole hand in my trousers. I spent the whole evening trying to find the right moment to leave without losing what was left of my dignity!  
What does the Bangkok fashion scene need?
I don’t actually know the fashion scene here as well as others, as I have always lived abroad, but I think it has grown so much in the last few years. I hope to see Thai designers receive more recognition overseas; I want buyers to see that there are a lot of undiscovered talents here with great potential.

Pitchaya Srirapong,

designer/co-founder of Pitch

How did your brand start?
I was a freelance designer for a Thai and international jewelry brand for five years. After creating my own watch collection, I got to know Ann Kositchana from Front Row Studio Singapore. She asked me to join her and her partners, Jurikarn and Sornkrit, and together we established jewelry brand Pitch in 2010.
How would you describe your design?
Simple and chic, but with hidden details. We don't like luxurious things but prefer things that have character or contain a surprise.
What’s the inspiration behind your latest collection?
It's called Hello, I Miss You, and is all about jewelry which serves as a promise of love, affection, and returning back to each other. During wars, soldiers send mementos home to their loved ones. This collection is inspired by wartime trinkets and mementos of bittersweet departures. We use military emblems and play around with the meaning of love.
What’s the hardest part about working in the fashion industry?
People get information from shows like Project Runway fast, so it’s easy to find knock-offs. The negative effects on the fashion industry are profound, because people can find similar products for cheaper prices. Decreased sales mean that the motivation to create new designs has been diminished.
Who’s your favorite designer?
Maison Martin Margiela, because its design is simple yet chic, and still implies great ideas. It expresses creativity through recycling, transformation and reinterpretation.
What trend must go?
Wearing counterfeit products. If you are a fashion lover, you should show your respect to the designers by only buying and wearing the originals.
What’s your most embarrassing fashion moment?
When I was a kid, I was looking for my own style. Many questions popped up in my head, like why can’t girls wear boys' shirts to create their own style and still look pretty? I experimented with this for years and the result is some people think I am a tomboy or weird. What I am today was formed from years of mockery and people not understanding my style.     
What’s the next big thing?
The current generation has more confidence to dress up. I think the hot trend from now on will be people to showing their personality through more mixing and matching of outfits.
What does the Bangkok fashion scene need?
Thailand has not only got more talented designers but also more quality materials for in-house production. Still, Thai young designers lack connections with big investors to support them in the international market. We will produce more well-known designers if we get more support from the public and private sectors.

Nantiya Saengwichit,

29, managing director/ design director of Hectorr

Describe your style.
Anti-trend. Hectorr’s pieces are for those who are not fashion victims and don’t alter their looks too much from season to season. On the other hand, Hectorr’s girls know themselves well and express their style subconsciously and instinctually.
What’s the inspiration for your latest collection?
Veronica Decides to Exist is our latest collection, inspired by a novel called Veronica Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho. It blends fully nude and dark tones with simple sleek designs to express the “perfect imperfection" concept.
What’s the next big thing?
Minimal and simple designs with hidden details. A large number of people are now getting more interested in philosophy, so superficiality will become nonsense.
What’s the most difficult part about working in the fashion industry?
Some people prefer having many items in their closet rather than just one of a good quality that you can wear for many years. Some of my products go through many processes in the design production stage, so some people might not understand the pricing.
Who’s your favorite designer?
Damir Doma.
Silliest fashion trend?
Scrunchies. There’s no reason to ruin your personal style by putting strange things in your hair.
What do you want to see more of in Bangkok’s fashion scene?
Girls with a masculine style.

Toolapar Wadkhien,

35, designer/owner of Fresh Meat

How did your brand start?
I love bags and was thinking one day, why don’t I make one for myself. I just sketched it and found someone to help me with the cutting and sewing of the leather. After it was done, my friends asked me where I got it. They then asked me if I could design bags for them.  
How would you describe your design style ?
Basics with a twist. They are made for everyday use, but with add-ons like zips, buckles, fringes and studs.
What’s the inspiration for your latest collection?
Traveling to the countryside in a convertible car on the weekend. I saw an old movie where a couple do just this with a pile of bags on the backseat. The collection is mostly made up of quite big bags which are suitable for a few nights away from home. The curves reflect the form of a vintage car and there’s even a nod to the car’s headlights.
What’s the next big thing?
Style will be more individualized, more personalized and more customized. Now, due to globalization, online and new technologies, people can see everything from everywhere, so there are no boundaries, especially in the fashion world.
What’s the most difficult thing about working in the fashion industry?
Trying to stand out with your unique identity: to stay true to yourself and still answer the needs of your target audience. Nowadays, there are many brands that are hungry for fame, and will try every way to be distinct. Some do it through strange-looking designs that simply scream that they're just trying to survive in this industry—they forget who they are and who their customers are.
Who are your favorite designers?
Alexander McQueen, Nicolas Ghesquière and Phoebe Philo.
What’s the silliest fashion trend?
I’m more concerned that people wear the right attire on the right occasion.
What’s your most embarrassing fashion moment?
I went to a masquerade party by accident and I was wearing a short jumpsuit.
What do you want to see more of in Bangkok’s fashion scene?
People who appreciate original ideas and don’t just support copycats.